Comfort Food That Is Perfect For Cold Weather | Includes Recipes

Updated on October 13, 2014

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The Inevitable Winter

Before we know it the cold weather of winter will be settling in. I can imagine it now, having a warm fire crackling as I gaze wondrously out the window. The squirrels are all gone now and the birds have found refuge somewhere outside of my back yard. On the days where the cold seeps in through every crack in the weather stripping of the house, I want something warm to reverse the inevitable coldness.

Those are definitely the days that I dread getting out from my warm blankets that my body has kept toasty all night and drag my unenthusiastic body to the shower only to eventually step outside in the cold.

One thing that will not change is winter will unavoidably come. But to fight back at those days that chill you to the bone, try warming yourself from the inside with some great winter body warming goodies.

Many of the foods below will tantalize your tastebuds and can be enjoyed at home in front of the popping fire, at a ballgame or an early morning at camp.

Make It A Family Affair

Depending on where you live the winter may bring more indoor days than not. Cooking is one way to bring families together and to help forget about the frigid air beyond the walls that they gaze upon. Joining forces on an early Sunday morning for breakfast or to prepare lunch with all hands on deck help to stay entertained and are the grounds for some great memories. Many of the recipes contained can be altered into family greats to be passed down through the generations to carry on those cold Sunday mornings with joy and flavorful aromas.

Enjoy the traditions in my home and what I hope will continue to bring them home every time. I have included my favorites that only feel right preparing during the winter. As it is coming upon us the kids are already bouncing around hoping for chicken and dumplings.

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Soups

A great way to battle those frigid days that keep more than your insides warm. Holding a cup of warm soup can soothe freezing hands as well as your body. Soup recipes are versatile and can be cooked in less than thirty minutes or warm the house and ready in over six hours. Decide whether you want to crack open a can of Campbell’s chicken noodle or if you have the time to make your homemade version.

Soup Ideas

Clam chowder

Tomato soup

Chicken and dumplings

Gumbo

Chicken and rice

Chicken And Dumplings

My favorite has to be homemade chicken and dumplings. Very easy to make and takes only a few hours to perfect. Ingredients are easy to find in your fridge and take little effort to put together.

Ingredients

Chicken

Chicken broth or bullion

Bay leaf

Favorite veggies – either frozen or fresh

Salt and pepper to taste

Grands biscuits cut in quarters or smaller

Corn starch (optional)

Directions

Cut up 3 chicken breasts and place in stockpot with 6 cups of chicken broth (or 6 cups of water and chicken bullion) and one to two bay leafs. Bring to boil and cook on medium-high heat for about 2 hours. Add veggies and salt and pepper to taste. While waiting for veggies to cook open cans of biscuits and cut into small cubes – either 4 or 6 pieces per biscuit. Once veggies are cooked start dropping biscuits in one by one making sure they are not sticking to each other or the pot. Cook for another 10 to 20 minutes then remove from heat.

**If you would like to thicken the broth add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to 1/4 cup of cool water in a measuring cup and then stir into soup. Allow a few minutes to thicken.

Easy Noodle Soup For a Cold Day

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Main Dishes

Warm foods can certainly be easily created as a main dish. Making casseroles and other one-dish meals are a perfect way to settle into a chilly winter’s day. Get into the kitchen and begin throwing your favorite ingredients together a make a signature dish that your family will surely continue coming home for.

Chicken Casserole

An easy meal that quickly can be put together and a great way to warm the house. It takes a combination of a few ingredients; most are common foods in your pantry or freezer.

Ingredients

Chicken breast

Onion

Rice (white or brown)

Cream of chicken soup

milk

Broccoli (frozen)

Cheese

Directions

Cut 3 chicken breasts into cubes. Dice one half an onion. In a casserole dish combine chicken, onion, 3 cups of rice, 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, ½ cup of milk, ½ cup of shredded cheese and broccoli. Put in oven at 350 degrees for one hour. When rice is cooked add ½ cup of shredded cheese on top.

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Desserts

Now down to the yummy stuff. Who doesn’t like desserts and especially on a cold day. Warm the body with a tasty treat. Another great way to fill the house with warmth mixed with the combination of great aromas the nose is attracted to as fruity pleasures bake.

Dessert Ideas

Apple pie

Peach cobbler

Berry crisp

Cherry turnovers

Empanadas

Berry Crisp

My favorite and easily unfailing recipe is given to the berry crisp. The simple ingredients will surely comfort well beyond the season. Perfectly sweet, this dessert helps to soothe the frigidness plus it contains just the right amount of sweetness.

Ingredients

Can of pie filling –black berry, raspberry, or blueberry (tastes good to mix them too)

Sugar

Cinnamon

Rolled oats

Butter

Directions

Grease the bottom or a cake pan then add one can of pie filling. In a separate bowl mix together 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and ¼ cup of butter. Spread that mixture over the pie filling covering completely. Place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Great when topped with vanilla ice cream.

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Drinks

Drink Ideas

Infuse your throat with simultaneous warmth and deliciousness. When the temperature drops outside I run toward warm drinks for many reasons. First holding the cup it warms the hands and then on down the hatchet it goes tracking a warming path from head to toe.

24 comments

I haven't had chicken and dumplings in like forever....that will change in the next couple weeks, thanks to you! :)

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Awesome Bill. Chicken and dumplings are great and easy to make with biscuits. My kids love this recipe. Change it up a little by using the biscuits for the crust in mini potpies instead of dumplings :)

swilliams 2 years ago from Arizona

What a cozy article! I did not know that Beans and cornbread could help with the a cold interesting! Voted up and tweeted out!

I'm not really looking forward for winter (don't like cold) but food galore in this awesome hub. More soup please and thank you. :)

Great presentation and nice images. Voting up and sharing.

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks Cris - I am with you; I do not like winter either. But I do love sweet aromas in food while I'm trying to keep me and the house warm :) Good idea this is the perfect season for soup recipes..

Iris Draak 2 years ago from Boise, Idaho

Yum! I'm really looking forward to these cold weather foods.

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks Iris that is the best part of winter since I am not a fan of the cold.

tobusiness 2 years ago from Bedfordshire, U.K

You got me with the chicken and dumplings, but they are all great comfort food, ideal for wintertime. Up and sharing.

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks tobusiness for stopping by. I love that recipe too. I tastes really good when you use the soup and turn it into potpies. The kids love both versions :)

Jackie Lynnley 2 years ago from The Beautiful South

Mm; yum I will be putting this in my recipe file right now. Especially love the chicken pot pie recipe. Well...dumplings. Sounds so yummy I hate waiting!

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks Jackie, I just made chicken and dumplings. Actually just finished a bowl and the kids were on pins and needles waiting.. Enjoy!!

Victoria Lynn 2 years ago from Arkansas, USA

While I dread winter, those are great comfort foods. I love, love, love chicken and dumplings!

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Oh Thanks Victoria - I love comforting foods too but dislike the weather of winter. I just made chicken and dumplings yesterday!!

KoraleeP 2 years ago from Vernon British Columbia Canada

It was perfect timing finding your Hub...I'm having trouble adjusting to the cold that came in last week. Although it's only -14 degrees it feels like -25 at least.

The berry crisp sounds delicious, thanks for sharing.

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks Koralee for commenting. I am glad that my hub could bring forth a tad bit of relief in that frigid weather. Be safe and I hope it warms up some.

nonaweeks 2 years ago from Florissant, CO

Everything looks delicious. Soups are my favorite when it is cold. Being from Louisiana we make shrimp creole, etouffe, chili and chicken and dumplings a lot. Now that we live in Colorado we have it more than ever because it is a lot colder. Thanks for sharing your great recipes.

mdscoggins 2 years ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks nonaweeks for the comment. I would love to have a shrimp creole or any other creole recipe that you would like to share. I hope these recipes can keep you warm :)

Joyfulcrown 23 months ago

I love having soup & hot drinks when the weather is cold, it is so comforting. Thank for the various ideas. I think I am going to try the chai tea with cinnamon.

mdscoggins 23 months ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thanks Joy for the comment. These cold days really call for some soothing hot goodness. The chai is great and enjoy.

vespawoolf 22 months ago from Peru, South America

I shouldn´t read Hubs like this when it´s close to lunch time! I don´t really love apple crisp, but I would definitely go for a berry crisp. Thank you for these delicious ideas and recipes. We don´t always think of drinks as comfort food, but they definitely are worthy of consideration.

mdscoggins 22 months ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thank you vespawoolf for the comments. I truly love, love, love berry crisp. Staying warm can be a challenge right now especially those experiencing some tough weather :)

Claudia Mathews 21 months ago

Comfort foods are the best. I love to pamper myself and family with meals that are traditionally comfort foods. Casseroles have always been my favorite for the different flavours and textures all in one bite. You've given some great recipes here. I will definitely be making the chicken and rice casserole. Thanks for sharing.

mdscoggins 21 months ago from Fresno, CA Author

Thank you Claudia for stopping by and commenting. I love warm foods to break the bite from the cold :)